Astroscale, a leader in orbital debris removal, has successfully validated the magnetic capture system on its ELSA-d demonstration satellite by securing simulated debris in orbit. Further tests are needed before full deployment of this innovative space cleanup technology.
Picture navigating the ocean amid thousands of derelict ships from history—near-Earth orbit faces a similar hazard. The European Space Agency (ESA) estimates more than 34,000 pieces of debris larger than 10 cm orbiting above us, plus tens of thousands of smaller fragments.
Traveling at tens of thousands of km/h, these objects endanger active satellites and the International Space Station. A recent example: a Chinese satellite fragmented after colliding with remnants of a 1996 Zenit-2 rocket. Collision risks will escalate with expanding satellite constellations for global broadband.
Various solutions are emerging. China explores lasers, while the ESA-backed RemoveDebris project—led by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) and Airbus—tested nets and harpoons. Recently, the European Space Agency (ESA) partnered with Swiss startup ClearSpace for debris deorbiting.
Astroscale's ELSA-d satellite, launched March 22 into a 550 km orbit, has completed phase 3a of its demonstration. This private venture specializes in magnetic debris capture.
On August 25, ELSA-d extended its capture mechanism to magnetically lock onto the client module (simulated debris). The module then separated, and the satellite retracted and redeployed the mechanism without recapture.
"This has been a fantastic first step in validating all the key technologies for rendezvous and proximity operations and space capture," said Nobu Okada, Astroscale's founder and CEO. "We are proud to have proven our magnetic capture capabilities and excited to advance in-orbit services with ELSA-d."
Next, phase 4a involves independent maneuvering near the client module for capture. Phase 4 targets free-fall capture, phase 5 features flyover inspection, phase 6 deorbits with the module, and phase 7 safely disposes of propellants and batteries before reentry.
